I studied on the Intensive Levantine Arabic course, and it was an excellent experience. Ali and Muaz teach students Arabic in a fun and practical way, and sometimes took us around the city to learn new vocab as we walked and where could order in Arabic in Arab-run cafes/restaurants too. I learnt so much more than the language, and learnt about customs and culture in Levant region which helped me understand the language even more. Rafat makes all the students feel welcome and he creates a great atmosphere at the school. I would highly recommend the Excellence Center, and Ali and Muaz as teachers!

I recently took part in the “learn german and teach english program” for two weeks at the Excellence Centre. I was not only looking for an opportunity to practice my German (which I’d studied at University years ago) but that also allowed me to meet lots of people and try something new. My time here has exceeded any expectations I had and beyond.

Upon arrival I took a language placement test which benchmarked my current proficiency around a B1-B2 level. As a result I joined Muaz’s advanced German class. Muaz is a talented teacher, who builds his lessons not only around speaking but also tailored content to everyday/current affairs. I was surprised by how much progress I made in only two weeks; by the end of the program I was holding complex conversations and taught some beginners German at the centre. On reflection I wish I’d booked more lessons as I really enjoyed them.

Teaching was daunting as I had no prior experience, but ended up being very rewarding. I taught a mixture of both English and German- there wasn’t much guidance in terms of lesson structure but I became more confident with practice.

The aspect that I enjoyed most however was the people; fellow volunteers, teachers and students. Rafat has created a unique welcoming environment at the Excellence Centre. He cooks breakfast for everyone everyday and I spent a lot of time exploring Halle and Leipzig with the other volunteers. The relationships I built with my students were so special as well, with one of the families cooking me their favourite dish as a goodbye present.

Overall I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in language learning, give back to the community or
just wants to meet new people. Thanks again to Rafat, Muaz and Ali for such a wonderful experience.

My internship experience at The Excellence Center in Halle was one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences I've had thus far both in my studies and my personal life. I got to work directly with refugees and community members in an international environment where I became more informed and engaged in pressing global issues like forced migration, the occupation in Palestine, and the challenges of integration in Europe. The work was hands-on and varied with every day bringing new opportunities to learn, teach, explore, connect, and grow. The social environment was dynamic, welcoming, and supportive, and I feel like I made lifelong friends over my 10 weeks there.

In my lessons with refugees, I often had to communicate with people who didn't speak the same language as me. It pushed me to get creative, using gestures and visuals to connect. This encouraged me to build confidence and connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Some days were filled with structured lessons, while others shifted on the fly based on the needs of the community. This unpredictability taught me to be proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working without a rigid schedule. My flexibility and adaptability were almost constantly challenged, and in the process, I developed skills that I know will serve me in any professional or cross-cultural setting.

The staff at The Excellence Center in Halle were supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in the success of both participants and the community. Rafat, Ali, and Muaz were always making me laugh, but they also pushed me to think more deeply about the opinions I carried and the kind of role I want to play in the migration space. I came into this experience pretty sure I wanted to work in refugee affairs, but my time at the Excellence Center has truly solidified that. It’s made me even more determined to meaningfully engage in this field, whether by working closely with communities through grassroots initiatives, advocating for change in an international NGO, or contributing to policy-making at a global level.

I'm so grateful for my time at The Excellence Center in Halle. I made memories I will cherish forever and met people I hope to never fall out of touch with. This experience will always be a cornerstone of both my personal and professional journey, and the lessons I’ve learned here will continue to guide and inspire me in the years ahead.

A brilliant experience for anyone who wants to help out and learn at the same time. Really worth it! The people are super friendly and the students are truly inspiring and you can learn a lot from just one conversation with them. The location is beautiful and cheap, lots to explore nearby, such as Berlin, Hanover, Magdeburg a d soooo much more. The group activities are very fun and they make it easy to make new friends from alllll over the world! The diversity of the programme is the best part. I truly couldn't recommend it more. I wish I was there longer.

I chose this volunteer program because I wanted to practice my English, brush up on my German, and enjoy a sort of “semi-holiday” within a group with a common goal. I had already visited Germany, but this time I wanted to return on my own. I was also drawn to the idea of reconnecting with Syrian or Palestinian people, as I had visited Syria years ago.

My expectations were not only met but truly exceeded. The other volunteers and students have been bold, curious, and enriching individuals — a real source of inspiration. My roommate was just wonderful, and the students I was assigned to (special shout-out to Hussean, Halloren !) were kind and welcoming. I also had the joy of spending time with lovely, authentic young siblings (all female, from 0 to 11 years old) from a Syrian family.

It’s true that the program’s organization can sometimes be a bit confusing — schedules change, and class times aren't always clear — but you can always talk things through. Rafat, the coordinator, is very approachable, understanding and kind, and that makes a huge difference.

The atmosphere in the school is laid back, in a good way, e.g., you can feel free to find your teaching space... Just as another volunteer said: "it looks more like being in a living-room than in a school".

I’m leaving this experience feeling truly grateful and fortunate, even if I'm sad because I have to leave... Bitter sweet !

Honestly, I was somewhat nervous before I arrived here, but after staying with the Excellence Center for 4 weeks I can say with full confidence that I have never met a more warm, welcoming, fun and accepting group of people. The people I've met at the center have left a lasting impact on me and left me with memories that I will treasure forever, but most of all I want to show appreciation for the staff. Rafat, Muaz and Ali have been absolutely fantastic, and so welcoming, treating every single one of us students like family. They are all such amazing people with so many stories to tell, and they are what makes the Excellence center so great. Muaz has been one of the best teachers I've ever had, and his patience and encouragement when teaching has made learning German incredibly fun and productive for me. I've genuinely felt so at home at the center, and honestly the thought of leaving makes me want to cry. I'd absolutely stay longer if I could. I've valued my time and experience here so dearly, and would encourage absolutely anyone and everyone to sign up for this program. I'll absolutely be visiting again in future. :)

I'm extremely happy with my decision to spend a month teaching English at the Excellence Center. I met so many great people, many of whom I hope to stay in contact with. As cheesy as it sounds, we truly were a family. I felt like I grew so much over the course of the program, not only through interacting with other interns but also from the students I taught, who were all lovely people as well. I was able to realize that I would like to pursue teaching in some manner in the future, even perhaps as a career.

I did the Media and Journalism program and I had a great time. Everyone at The Excellence Center is super welcoming, nice, fun, and available. Rafat is supportive and helpful, and he really made me feel part of a family. Muaz and Ali are amazing teachers and people. I learned so much during my time here, I met such a wide array of people from all around the world, began learning Arabic, and overall grew so much. I am so thankful I was able to have this opportunity and meet all these wonderful people. I really recommend coming to The Excellence Center, it was so formative and fun.